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The pigmented
circle around the nipple is known as the areola. The nipples
themselves contain erectile tissue which can be stimulated by breast
feeding, sexual activity, or a drop in temperature.
The breasts are
composed not only of glands but also of fat and fibrous tissue, which
provides support and contains nerves as well as blood and lymphatic
vessels. Exercise to the breasts increases the strength and
suppleness of this fibrous connective tissue.
Some
interesting information on Breast cancer :
Incidences of breast cancer are high in the western world
compared to countries in Asia. It has been suggested in some
publications that the rich in animal protein Western diet,
when compared to the semi-vegetarian diet in some Asian
countries, shows differences in the hormone production and
metabolism.
The interest of researchers has been focused on two groups of
hormone-like diphenolic phyto-oestrogens of dietary origin,
the lingams and isoflavonoids which are abundant in the blood
plasma of subjects living in areas with a low incidence of
cancer.
The biologically active compounds detected, may be found in
soybean products, whole-grain cereal food, seeds, nuts and
berries. The plant lignin and isoflavonoid glycosides are
converted by intestinal bacteria to hormone-like compounds.
These estrogenic compounds influence sex hormone production,
body metabolism and biological activity, growth factor action,
malignant cell proliferation, differentiation, cell adhesion
in such a way as to make them strong candidates for a role as
cancer- protective compounds. Their effect may result in
beneficial modulation of hormone concentrations to help
prevent the development of cancer. Further, by
their estrogenic activity they reduce hot flushes and vaginal
dryness in postmenopausal women, and in some cases may inhibit
osteoporosis.
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